The Makabayan bloc warns that the government’s campaign against dissent won’t stop at members of the progressive coalition.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and many local politicians are top ad spenders on Facebook a year before the polls. The Commission on Elections is drafting rules to govern online campaigning. 

"The Ads Library and authorization process will provide detailed transparency information around political advertising throughout the election, as well as mitigate foreign interference," says Facebook Head of Public Policy Clare Amador.

Campaign finance is an important, if not the most important aspect, of any electoral exercise. One’s capacity to run for office is largely hinged on their access to resources.